Suction base for an apparatus support device

Abstract

In a suction base for the support of an apparatus, comprising a housing consisting of a hard plastic material and having an opening surrounded by a housing support edge and a suction membrane of PVC disposed in the housing so as to extend across the housing opening and being movable between a release position and an operating position in which the suction membrane is pulled into the housing and a vacuum is generated between the membrane and a support surface such that the support base is firmly pressed into contact with the support surface via the circumferential edge area of the membrane, a separating element is disposed between the housing and the suction membrane to prevent sticking of the membrane to the housing edge upon exposure of the suction base to heat and the release of plasticizer from the suction membrane.

1. A suction base for the support of an apparatus comprising a housing ( 1 ) of a hard plastic material, said housing having an opening surrounded by a circumferential housing support edge ( 7 ), a suction membrane ( 2 ) of a plasticizer-containing PVC extending across the housing opening adjacent said support edge ( 7 ), an operating mechanism ( 3 ,  4 ) for moving the suction membrane between a release position and an operating position in which a vacuum is generated between the suction membrane ( 2 ) and a support surface to which the suction base is to be attached, whereby the housing support edge is pressed onto said suction membrane ( 2 ) along the circumferential edge ( 7 ) of the housing ( 1 ), and a separating element ( 8 ) disposed between the suction membrane ( 2 ) and the housing ( 1 ) at least in the area of said support edge, said separating element ( 8 ) consisting of one of a metal sheet and a metal foil, which does not stick to the suction membrane of PVC upon the release of plasticizer therefrom during heat exposure of the suction membrane ( 2 ). 
   
   
     2. A suction base according to  claim 1 , wherein the separating element ( 8 ) extends from the support edge ( 7 ) inwardly at least over part of the interior wall of the housing ( 1 ) and serves as a heat radiation reflector. 
   
   
     3. A suction base according to  claim 1 , wherein the separating element is attached to the interior housing wall by one of cementing, pressing, clipping and a deformation at the housing edge ( 7 ). 
   
   
     4. A suction base according to  claim 1 , wherein the separating element ( 8 ) is formed by vapor deposition on the interior housing wall. 
   
   
     5. A suction base for the support of an apparatus comprising a housing ( 1 ) of a hard plastic material, said housing having an opening surrounded by a circumferential housing support edge ( 7 ), a suction membrane ( 2 ) of a plasticizer-containing PVC extending across the housing opening adjacent said support edge ( 7 ), an operating mechanism ( 3 ,  4 ) for moving the suction membrane between a release position and an operating position in which a vacuum is generated between the suction membrane ( 2 ) and a support surface to which the suction base is to be attached, whereby the housing support edge is pressed onto said suction membrane ( 2 ) along the circumferential edge ( 7 ) of the housing ( 1 ), and a separating element ( 8 ) disposed between the suction membrane ( 2 ) and the housing ( 1 ) at least in the area of said support edge, said separating element ( 8 ) consisting of one of a metal sheet and a metal foil, which does not stick to the suction membrane of PVC upon the release of plasticizer therefrom during heat exposure of the suction membrane ( 2 ) the separating element ( 8 ) extending from the support edge ( 7 ) inwardly at least over part of the interior wall of the housing ( 1 ) and having a surface area facing the housing wall which has a profile structure for reducing the contact area between the separating element ( 8 ) and the interior wall of the housing ( 1 ). 
   
   
     6. A suction base according to  claim 5 , wherein the separating element consists of polyamide. 
   
   
     7. A suction base according to  claim 5 , wherein profile structure is in the form of radial grooves or ribs. 
   
   
     8. A suction base according to  claim 5 , wherein the separating element ( 8 ) consists of a fabric. 
   
   
     9. A suction base according to  claim 5 , wherein the separating element ( 8 ) is attached to the interior housing wall by one of cementing, pressing, clipping and by a deformation at the housing edge ( 7 ).